An apparatus and a system for housing a device are described. The apparatus includes a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member includes a perimeter portion. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members and may be configured for engaging a third clasping mechanism, such as a locking comb or wedge feature. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a control switch, the protective encasement comprising: a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device and a bottom member to mate with the top member, the top and bottom members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device to at least partially encase the mobile computing device; a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member; an aperture in one of the top member and the bottom member; and a switch feature disposed on the one of the top member and the bottom member proximate the aperture, the switch feature positioned to operate the control switch of the encased mobile computing device when the top member is mated with the bottom member, the switch feature comprising; a user-actuatable control disposed on the exterior surface of the one of the top member and the bottom member proximate the aperture, a switch interface connected to the user-actuatable control and disposed on the interior surface of the one of the top member and the bottom member, the switch interface rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the user-actuatable control, the switch interface including a U-shaped opening to translate the rotation of the user-actuatable control into linear movement of the control switch of the encased mobile computing device.
A protective case for a mobile device (like a phone) with a button (control switch) has a top and bottom part that snap together. The case has a hole (aperture) near the device's button. A button-pressing mechanism (switch feature) is built into the case near the hole. This mechanism has a user-accessible button on the outside of the case. Inside the case, connected to the outside button, is a rotating piece (switch interface) with a U-shaped slot. When you turn the outside button, the U-shaped slot pushes the device's button in a straight line.
2. The protective encasement of claim 1 , wherein the linear movement has a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the protective encasement.
The button-pressing mechanism described in the protective case pushes the device's button in a straight line, and this line is basically at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to the flat surface (plane) of the case.
3. The protective encasement of claim 1 , the switch feature further comprising a post member disposed through the aperture and attached to the user-actuatable control and the switch interface.
The button-pressing mechanism described in the protective case also includes a rod (post member) that goes through the hole in the case. This rod connects the user-accessible button on the outside to the rotating piece (switch interface) on the inside.
4. The protective encasement of claim 3 further comprising a seal positioned between the top member and the bottom member, and the switch feature further comprising a post member gasket disposed on the post member, the post member gasket to form a waterproof seal between the post member and the aperture.
The protective case with the button-pressing mechanism that includes a rod through a hole also includes a waterproof seal between the top and bottom parts of the case. It also has a rubber ring (gasket) around the rod to seal the gap between the rod and the hole, making it waterproof.
5. The protective encasement of claim 3 , wherein one of the user-actuatable control and the switch interface includes the post member.
In the protective case with the button-pressing mechanism including a rod, either the user-accessible button or the rotating piece (switch interface) has the rod permanently attached to it.
6. The protective encasement of claim 1 , the switch feature further comprising a flexible housing.
The button-pressing mechanism in the protective case is surrounded by a flexible material (flexible housing) to protect it.
7. The protective encasement of claim 1 further comprising a partially circular indentation disposed in the exterior surface of the one of the top member and bottom member, the user-actuatable control rotatable within the partially circular indentation.
The protective case has a shallow, rounded dip (partially circular indentation) on the outside, where the user-accessible button sits. The button can rotate within this dip.
8. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a control switch, the protective encasement comprising: a top member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device and a bottom member to mate with the top member, the top and bottom members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device; a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member; an aperture in one of the top member and the bottom member; and a switch feature disposed on the one of the top member and the bottom member, the switch feature positioned to operate the control switch of the mobile computing device when the top member is mated with the bottom member to encase the mobile computing device, the switch feature comprising: a handle member disposed on the exterior surface of the one of the top and the bottom member, a switch interface connected to the handle member and disposed on the interior surface of the one of the top and the bottom member, the switch interface rotatable in response to a force applied to the handle member, and a cavity disposed on the switch interface to at least partially surround the control switch and translate rotation of the handle member into linear movement of the control switch of the encased mobile computing device.
A protective case for a mobile device with a button has a top and bottom part that snap together. The case has a hole near the device's button. A button-pressing mechanism is built into the case near the hole. This mechanism has a handle on the outside of the case and a rotating piece (switch interface) on the inside connected to the handle. The rotating piece has a hollow area (cavity) that fits around the device's button. When you turn the handle, the rotating piece pushes the device's button in a straight line.
9. The protective encasement of claim 8 , wherein the switch interface is rotatable to move the control switch of the mobile computing device linearly in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the protective encasement.
The button-pressing mechanism in the protective case is designed so that when you turn the handle, the device's button is pushed in a straight line that is at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to the flat surface of the case.
10. The protective encasement of claim 8 , the switch feature further comprising a post member disposed through the aperture and attached to the handle member and the switch interface.
The button-pressing mechanism described in the protective case also includes a rod that goes through the hole in the case. This rod connects the handle on the outside to the rotating piece (switch interface) on the inside.
11. The protective encasement of claim 10 further comprising a seal positioned between the top member and the bottom member, and the switch feature further comprising a post member gasket disposed on the post member, the post member gasket to form a waterproof seal with the aperture.
The protective case with the button-pressing mechanism that includes a rod through a hole also includes a waterproof seal between the top and bottom parts of the case. It also has a rubber ring (gasket) around the rod to seal the gap between the rod and the hole, making it waterproof.
12. The protective encasement of claim 8 , wherein the handle member includes a knob.
The handle on the outside of the protective case that is part of the button-pressing mechanism is shaped like a knob.
13. The protective encasement of claim 8 , the switch feature further comprising a flexible housing.
The button-pressing mechanism in the protective case is surrounded by a flexible material (flexible housing) to protect it.
14. The protective encasement of claim 8 , the protective encasement further comprising a partially circular indentation disposed in the exterior surface of the one of the top member and the bottom member, the handle member being rotatable within the partially circular indentation.
The protective case has a shallow, rounded dip on the outside, where the handle sits. The handle can rotate within this dip.
15. A protective encasement for a mobile computing device having a control switch, the protective encasement comprising: a first member to at least partially cover the mobile computing device and a second member to mate with the first member, the first and second members each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surfaces to receive at least a portion of the mobile computing device; and a switch feature on the first member, the switch feature positioned to operate the control switch of the mobile computing device when the first member is mated with the second member to at least partially encase the mobile computing device, the switch feature comprising: an actuator member disposed on the exterior surface of the first member, a plurality of switch interfaces coupled with the actuator member, the switch interfaces to engage the control switch of the encased mobile computing device, such that force applied to the actuator member is transferred to at least one of the switch interfaces to manipulate the control switch linearly in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the protective encasement; and a plurality of switch interface axles, each of the switch interface axles coupled with a corresponding one of the plurality of switch interfaces such that each of the switch interfaces rotate around the respective switch interface axles in response to a rotation of the actuator member.
A protective case for a mobile device with a button has two parts that snap together. A button-pressing mechanism (switch feature) is built into one of the parts. This mechanism has a lever (actuator member) on the outside of the case. Inside the case, connected to the lever, are multiple arms (switch interfaces) that touch the device's button. When you push the lever, at least one of the arms pushes the device's button in a straight line, and this line is basically on the same flat surface (parallel) as the case. Each arm rotates around its own small rod (switch interface axle) when the lever is moved.
16. The protective encasement of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switch interfaces is configured as an oblong hook member.
At least one of the arms (switch interfaces) in the button-pressing mechanism described in the protective case is shaped like a rounded hook.
17. The protective encasement of claim 15 , wherein the actuator member is configured as a toggle, the switch feature further comprising a toggle axle attached to the actuator member to allow the actuator member to pivot on the toggle axle, such that force applied by a user on a portion of the actuator member is transferred to one of the switch interfaces and manipulates the control switch linearly in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the protective encasement.
The lever (actuator member) in the button-pressing mechanism is a seesaw-like switch (toggle). It pivots on a small rod (toggle axle). When you push one end of the seesaw, the other end pushes the device's button in a straight line that is on the same flat surface (parallel) as the case.
18. The protective encasement of claim 15 , wherein the actuator member is configured to be rotated in response to a force applied by a user on a portion of the actuator member, one of the switch interfaces translating rotation of the actuator member into linear movement of the control switch in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the protective encasement.
The lever (actuator member) in the button-pressing mechanism can be turned. When you turn the lever, one of the arms pushes the device's button in a straight line that is on the same flat surface (parallel) as the case.
19. The protective encasement of claim 15 , the switch feature further comprising a flexible housing.
The button-pressing mechanism in the protective case is surrounded by a flexible material (flexible housing) to protect it.
20. The protective encasement of claim 8 wherein the cavity comprises a U-shaped cavity.
The hollow area (cavity) on the rotating piece (switch interface) in the protective case is U-shaped.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 14, 2015
May 23, 2017
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